She first hit the headlines herself in 1995, when she graduated from London’s Central St Martins College of Art & Design. Her graduation show, attended by her super-famous parents, featured pals Naomi Campbell and Kate Moss modelling her clothes on the catwalk. Unsurprisingly, the student show became front page news around the world and the entire collection was snapped up by London boutique Tokio. She launched her eponymous label the same year. Despite her newfound celebrity, McCartney had already served a long apprenticeship in fashion. At 15, she worked with Christian Lacroix on his first couture collection and later spent several years learning her craft on Savile Row.
McCartney was appointed chief designer at the French couture house Chloë in March 1997. Succeeding Karl Lagerfeld in one of the most high profile posts in the industry, McCartney’s appointment was viewed by many as simply an astute publicity stunt on the part of Chloë’s owners, the Vendome group. However, her first collection for the house, shown in Paris in October 1997, quickly dispelled any doubts about her talent.
Sensual, romantic, the collection teamed lacey petticoat skirts with fine tailoring and was hailed a triumph. Her delicate camisoles and Nineties updates of the Seventies trousersuit fast became the talk of the catwalk circuit. The following season, Chloë execs proved that her efforts had not only raised the house's profile, but had lifted its profits too.
Following her mother's death in April 1998, Stella took up her fight against the maltreatment of animals. A month later, during Fur Fashion Week, she teamed up with PeTA - People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals - to release a video championing animal rights.
In June 1998, Stella was named one of British Vogue's 50 Most Stylish Women.